Wildfire Engulfs forests in J&K after Uttarakhand and Himachal

Wildfire engulfs forest in Jammu and Kashmir after Uttarakhand and Himachal. Struggle to contain massive forest fires incidents of wildfire were reported from Bathuni and Gambhir areas of J&K Rajouri district on Sunday.

While the fire has been raging in over 2000 hectors of forest area in Uttarakhand for several days now, it was reported from 12 new places in the forests around Shimla in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. The raging fires have claimed at least seven lives in Uttarakhand till now.

Centre Government

According to latest satellite information 427 wildfire engulfs forest in Uttarakhand has been doused in over 70% of the affected areas with 130 personal of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed to tackle massive blaze.

Over 10,000 personnel of different departments are helping the NDRF to douse the fires in uttarakhand forests. The centre has also deployed three MI-17helicopters of the Indian Air Force along with state police. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Forest staff, home guard and local volunteers has been deployed and they are battling in forest fire.

Home Ministry

Union home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the Uttarakhand forest fire situation on Sunday during his meeting with states chief secretary. Singh has instructed officials closely monitor the situation and provide all assistance in controlling the fire.

Home Minister has also spoken with Uttarakhand governor KK Paul on phone and assured of providing all necessary assistance to control the situation. ‘’ It is nothing new, fire break out in forest areas due to rise in temperature,’’ Singh told in Rampur on Sunday.

According to reports, 22% covering 8,267 sq km of total forest area in the state is fire prone. A majority of fire incidents are reported from the pine forests during summers every year. When pine tree shed their dry needles which are highly inflammable.